1.
United States Army Aviation Branch
–
The United States Army Aviation Branch is the administrative organization within the United States Army responsible for doctrine, manning and configuration for all aviation units. The Army would develop a new concept of using the helicopter that would show promise during the Korean War. Army Aviation traces its origins back to the American Civil War, both Union and Confederate forces used hydrogen-filled balloons to direct artillery fire, marking the beginning of U. S. military aeronautics and of aerial support of Army ground forces. The Army also used balloons during the Spanish–American War and World War I, Army Aviation began in 1909 with the Army’s acquisition of its first heavier-than-air aircraft, an airplane built to Army specifications by the Wright brothers. During World War I, the Armys aircraft strength grew from a few dozen to more than 11,000 planes, the Army Air Service was created in May 1918. After World War I, General William Mitchell and other Air Service leaders spoke out forcefully in favor of an independent air force, since they envisioned aviation as a separate striking force, capable of independent operations, they opposed its remaining an arm of the ground forces. Although Congress as well as most Army leaders rejected Mitchells argument, the Air Service did become a combat arm, equal in status to the infantry, cavalry. During the 1930s, many Army Air Corps leaders became preoccupied with strategic air operations, like Billy Mitchell before them, they advocated using air power independently of the Army ground forces to destroy enemy targets behind the lines of combat. This Air Corps emphasis on strategic operations disturbed some ground forces leaders, aerial support was particularly vital for artillery fire adjustment. The Army experimented with using small aircraft for artillery fire adjustment and other functions in maneuvers at Camp Beauregard. The tests were repeated on a scale in the Army maneuvers in Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas. The Armys Grasshoppers, as these light planes came to be called, proved to be more effective than the larger Air Corps planes used for the same purposes. It was this new World War II-era phenomenon with its few small single-engine spotter planes, organic Army Aviation, Organic Army Aviation first entered into combat in November 1942 on the coast of North Africa. After the creation of the Army Air Forces, the Army Ground Forces retained the use of aircraft for artillery forward observation. First use of the helicopter in combat is credited to the USAAF 1st Air Commando Group in Burma in 1943, the 1ACG operated six Sikorsky R-4 helicopters primarily for air rescue and medical evacuation. When the United States Air Force was established as a service in 1947. The Korean War and Vietnam War proved the capabilities of these aviation assets to perform a variety of missions not covered by the Air Force. The Korean War provided new challenges and opportunities for Army Aviation, Organic Army Aviation had acquired its first helicopters, thirteen H-13 Sioux, in 1947, shortly before the U. S. Air Force became independent of the Army

2.
34th Infantry Division (United States)
–
The 34th Infantry Division is an infantry division of the United States Army, part of the National Guard, that participated in World War I, World War II and multiple current conflicts. It was the first American division deployed to Europe in World War II, the division was deactivated in 1945, and the 47th Viking Infantry Division later created in the divisions former area. In 1991 the 47th Division was redesignated the 34th, since 2001 division soldiers have served on homeland security duties in the continental United States, in Afghanistan, and in Iraq. The 34th has also deployed to support peacekeeping efforts in the former Yugoslavia. The division continues to today, with most of the division part of the Minnesota. In 2011, it was staffed by roughly 6,500 soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard,2,900 from the Iowa National Guard, about 300 from the Nebraska National Guard, and about 100 from other states. The division was established as the 34th of the National Guard in August 1917, consisting of units from North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota. The division initially included the 67th Infantry Brigade, formed in August 1917 in the Iowa and Nebraska National Guards, the 67th Brigade comprised the 133rd Infantry Regiment and the 134th Infantry Regiment. The 68th Brigade comprised the 135th Infantry Regiment and the 136th Infantry Regiment, the division takes its name from the shoulder sleeve insignia designed for a 1917 training camp contest by American regionalist artist Marvin Cone, who was then a soldier enlisted in the unit. Cones design evoked the desert training grounds of Camp Cody, New Mexico, in World War I, the unit was called the Sandstorm Division. German troops in World War II, however, called the U. S. divisions soldiers Red Devils and Red Bulls, brig. Gen. Frank G. Mauldin took command. The 34th Division arrived in France in October 1918 but it was too late for the division to be sent to the front, as the end of hostilities was near, an armistice being signed the following month. Brig. Gen. John A. Johnston took command 26 October 1918, the 34th returned to the U. S. and was inactivated in December 1918. The 67th Infantry Brigade was disbanded in February 1919, but formed again in 1921, on 17 January 1921, the 109th Observation Squadron was federally recognized as the first aviation unit in the Minnesota National Guard. The squadron was assigned as an observation unit for the 34th Division, at that time recruiting from Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota. The 34th was reorganized as the 1st Infantry Regiment, Minnesota National Guard on 31 January 1920, on 16 May 1934, the truck drivers union initiated a strike, which quickly degenerated into open violence in the streets of Minneapolis. Minnesota Governor Floyd B. Olson activated the National Guard, and 4,000 Guardsmen to suppress the chaos, utilizing roving patrols, curfews, and security details, the 34th quickly restored order, thus enabling negotiated settlement of the labor dispute. On 18 June 1939, a tornado hit Anoka, Minnesota,300 Guardsmen patrolled the streets and imposed a quasi-martial law while the community was stabilized

3.
Montana Army National Guard
–
The Montana Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Armys available combat forces, National coordination of various state National Guard units are maintained through the National Guard Bureau. Montana Army National Guard units are trained and equipped as part of the United States Army, the same ranks and insignia are used and National Guardsmen are eligible to receive all United States military awards. The Montana Guard also bestows a number of awards for local services rendered in or to the state of Montana. The Montana Army National Guard maintains facilities in 28 communities, the Montana Army National Guard was originally formed in 1867. The Militia Act of 1903 organized the state militias into the present National Guard system. The 163rd Infantry Regiment of the Montana Guard formed part of the 41st Infantry Division, the Regiment was inducted into the Regular Army in September 1940, and were sent to Camp Murray at Fort Lewis, Washington. They participated in military exercises in California in 1941. On Dec.7,1941 small units were detailed to guard the Washington coastline from Japanese saboteurs, in March 1942 they were sent to Australia. Their engagements included the Battle of Buna-Gona, the Salamaua-Lae campaign, Operations Reckless and Persecution, in September 1945 the Regiment went ashore at Hiro, Japan as part of the occupation of that country. By this time most of the original Montanan troops had been discharged, the Montana ARNG maintained the 163rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, at least until 1988. In 1985 its units included the 1/163 Cavalry, the 2/163 Cavalry, the 3/163 Cavalry, an Air Troop, an Attack Helicopter Troop, the MT ARNG maintained the 163rd Armored Brigade at least until 1995. It appears that on the disbandment of the 163rd Armored Brigade, commonly referred to as the Griz Battalion, the 1-163rd at first was designated as a Cavalry Regiment in 1953, named the 163rd Cavalry Regiment. Unlike Army Reserve members, National Guard members cannot be mobilized individually, however, there has been a significant amount of individual activations to support military operations, the legality of this policy is a major issue within the National Guard. For much of the decades of the twentieth century, National Guard personnel typically served One weekend a month. The current forces formation plans of the US Army call for the typical National Guard unit to one year of active duty for every three years of service. More specifically, current Department of Defense policy is that no Guardsman will be activated for a total of more than 24 months in one six-year enlistment period

4.
Nevada National Guard
–
The Nevada National Guard, based in Nevada consists of the Nevada Army National Guard, including distinguished units such as C Co. 1-168th GSAB Medevac Wolf Pack and B Co, 1-189th Aviation Mustangs and the Nevada Air National Guard, including the 152nd Airlift Wing High Rollers. The Nevada Office of the Military provides military organization for the Nevada National Guard and it is the organized military force of the state, except when ordered into federal service. Under the National Defense Act of 1947, the Army and Air National Guard are reserve components of the United States Army, the governor is the commander-in-chief of the Nevada National Guard and appoints the adjutant general. The current adjutant general is Brigadier General William R. Burks, the Nevada National Guard is one of the 54 members of the United States National Guard, part of the United States reserve forces. At the conclusion of fiscal year 2006, Brig. Gen. Francis “Frank” Gonzales was the assistant adjutant general for the Nevada Army Guard. On Sept.30,2006, the Nevada National Guard had 2,474 soldiers and 1,125 airmen totaling 3,599 members. That figure shows an increase of 533 members since Sept.30,2004, the 17 percent increase in personnel during the past two years reflects Nevada as one of the fastest-growing of the Guard states and territories. In terms of total National Guard members, Nevada now ranks 45th among the states and territories, States with comparable numbers of personnel include, Montana, Alaska and Vermont. Nevada Guard staff reports at the conclusion of the fiscal year revealed that the Nevada Army Guard stood at 108 percent of its authorized manning. At the conclusion of fiscal year 2006, about 250 Nevada soldiers, the majority of these were soldiers in the 593rd Transportation Company and 1-221st Cavalry. The soldiers currently deployed with 1-221st Cavalry are all volunteers who are assisting the Wisconsin Army Guard’s 121st Field Artillery Battalion on security mission in Iraq, traditional guardsmen in the Nevada National Guard train one weekend per month and 15 days a year in their respective military career fields. Nevada’s traditional guardsmen are supported by 474 full-time federal technicians, state employees and 314 Active Guard and Reserve personnel stationed at various locations around the state

5.
Minnesota Army National Guard
–
The Minnesota Army National Guard, along with the Minnesota Air National Guard, is an element of the Minnesota National Guard. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal, in fact, the National Guard is the only United States military force empowered to function in a state status. Those functions range from limited actions during non-emergency situations to full scale law enforcement of law when local law enforcement officials can no longer maintain civil control. The National Guard may be called into service in response to a call by the President or Congress. The Minnesota Army National Guard is composed of approximately 11,000 Soldiers, spread out in 65 training, when National Guard troops are called to federal service, the President serves as Commander-in-Chief. The federal mission assigned to the National Guard is, To provide properly trained and equipped units for prompt mobilization for war, National emergency or as otherwise needed. The Governor may call individuals or units of the Minnesota National Guard into state service during emergencies or to assist in situations which lend themselves to use of the National Guard. The state mission assigned to the National Guard is, To provide trained and disciplined forces for domestic emergencies or as provided by state law. The State Defense force is a military entity authorized by both the State Code of Minnesota and executive order, the State Defense Force is the state’s authorized militia and assumes the state mission of the Minnesota National Guard in the event the Guard is mobilized. The SDF is composed of retired active and reserve personnel and selected professional persons who volunteer their time. The Minnesota Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army, nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Armys available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization. National coordination of various state National Guard units are maintained through the National Guard Bureau, Minnesota Army National Guard units are trained and equipped as part of the United States Army. The same ranks and insignia are used and National Guardsmen are eligible to receive all United States military awards, the Minnesota Guard also bestows a number of state awards for local services rendered in or to the state of Minnesota. See list of Minnesota National Guard units, unlike Army Reserve members, National Guard members cannot be mobilized individually, but only as part of their respective units. However, there has been a significant amount of individual activations to support military operations, the legality of this policy is a major issue within the National Guard. For much of the decades of the twentieth century, National Guard personnel typically served One weekend a month. The current forces formation plans of the US Army call for the typical National Guard unit to one year of active duty for every three years of service. More specifically, current Department of Defense policy is that no Guardsman will be activated for a total of more than 24 months in one six year enlistment period